All it took was half of a quarter and a defensive adjustment for No. 5 USC to seize control against Fresno State Tuesday night.
What started as a tight, back-and-forth contest changed halfway through the first quarter when the Trojans deployed a relentless full-court trap. USC held Fresno State (7-4) to 12 points for the rest of the first half.
USC continued to smother the Bulldogs’ offense and put the game out of reach early, cruising to an 89-40 victory at Galen Center.
“We went to our press, which helps sometimes to generate some easy offense,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “I knew the offense would come. We just had to feel out what they were doing, find the soft spots. I think the press got us going.”
After the Trojans deployed their press in the first half, they outscored Fresno State 40-12 to take full command of the game by halftime.
The Trojans were aided by a 16-0 run, with the star duo of JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen leading the way.
Iriafen had 24 points and 12 rebounds, extending her double-double streak to four.
“I’m just a lot more comfortable with what our coaches are trying to have us do,” Iriafen said of her streak. “It’s kind of hard for me to make moves because I’m being doubled or triple team.”
With their ability to score, Iriafen and Watkins are consistently drawing double and triple teams, which has forced them to find other ways to contribute without forcing shots.
For Iriafen, it’s rebounding.
“I think just being an offensive rebounder, defensive rebounder, with Rayah [Marshall] as well, is the best way to help my team right now and then just let the good come to me,” Iriafen said.
Watkins finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Watkins and Iriafen extended their streaks of double-figure scoring games to 10. It was also Watkins’ 36th game scoring 20 or more points.
Watkins nearly outscored the Bulldogs in the quarter, scoring 11 points on four-of-eight shooting from the field. She showcased her ability to drive into the paint and draw fouls, going eight for eight from the free-throw line during the game.
Her first-quarter scoring included an and-1 basket off a steal and a one-on-one isolation play. Later, she was fouled twice on three-point attempts.
“With the way she’s been shooting the ball, I think people are flying out at her a little more and sending her to the line,” Gottlieb said of the fouls.
As a team, the Trojans capitalized on their opportunities at the free-throw line, hitting 22 of 25 attempts, while the Bulldogs only made six trips to the stripe. The disparity largely stemmed from the teams’ contrasting styles of play.
“They’re running five around the perimeter, not attacking the basket as much,” Gottlieb said. “We like to get to the paint, both with our guards penetrating and our bigs in there. … The work on the glass puts people under duress, and they tend to foul. We did our work getting to the free-throw line.”
The Trojans showcased physicality in the paint and at the point of attack on the boards, outscoring the Bulldogs 42-4 in the paint and dominating the glass with a 48-20 rebounding advantage.
USC improved to 9-0 this season when outrebounding its opponents.
The Trojans focused on feeding Marshall early in the paint. She finished with 13 rebound, seven points, four assists and four blocks.
“She has been elite defensively,” Gottlieb said. “I cannot say enough. It so much more than just shot blocking. She’s really anchoring, talking and understanding. … She’s kind of become a secondary playmaker. Really embraced that role.”
Watkins hit a buzzer-beater layup to cap the first half, heading to the locker room with 16 points. It was the first of two buzzer beaters of the game, with Kayleigh Heckel hitting a a three-pointer to end the third quarter.
The Trojans focused on feeding Rayah Marshall early in the paint. She finished with seven points and 13 rebounds.
The Bulldogs’ offense tested Trojans early on, but they were held to just 20 points in the first half — a drop in output for a team averaging 66.4 points per game.
USC forced 21 turnovers and recorded 10 steals, converting the takeaways into 33 points.
Fresno State managed only 20 points in the second half.
“We’re getting better and better,” Gottlieb said of the team’s performance. “I’m sure we’ll find mistakes from tonight, even though we held them to 40 points. … I liked the intensity. I liked the intent.”
